Two win honors as school leaders
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 10, 2013 1:50 AM
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Full SizeWayne County Public Schools recognized two outstanding administrators last week.
Gary Hales, principal of Wayne School of Engineering, was named the 2013-14 Principal of the Year and Makita Jenkins, assistant principal at Greenwood Middle School, is the district's Assistant Principal of the Year.
Hales, an educator since 1997, began his teaching career with WCPS at Charles B. Aycock High School. In 2005, he moved from the classroom into administration, as assistant principal at Goldsboro High School.
When the district's newest school, Wayne School of Engineering, opened in 2007, he was named its principal.
A graduate of East Carolina University, he earned a bachelor's degree in secondary English education and a master's degree in school administration.
The Principal of the Year award is part of the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year program.
Hales receives $150 and will represent the district in the regional event and possibly go on to the state contest next spring, officials said.
Mrs. Jenkins' recognition is part of the National Association of School Secondary Principals Assistant Principal of the Year Awards Program.
An educator since 1988, she was initially a teacher at South Morrison Elementary School in Newport News, Va. She worked in several different education settings across six states before being hired by WCPS as a teacher at North Drive Elementary School in 2006. Two years later, she was named the Title I coordinator at the school. In 2009, she began her current position.
She is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She also holds a master's in school administration from the University of Phoenix.
Mrs. Jenkins now advances to the state level competition.